Each Rapra Review Report comprises a brief expert overview of the stated topic; this is supported and extended by a detailed, indexed bibliography, whose value is augmented by concise abstracts for every entry. Pharmaceutical Applications of Polymers for Drug Delivery focuses on the use of pharmaceutical polymer for controlled drug delivery applications. Examples of pharmaceutical polymers and the principles of controlled drug delivery are outlined and applications of polymers for controlled drug delivery are described.

From the Introduction: “...[I]t is accepted that the formulation and clinical performance of pharmaceutical dosage forms, e.g., solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules), disperse systems (suspensions, emulsions, creams, ointments), implants, particulate systems (microcapsules, microparticles, nanoparticles, nanocapsules) and transdermal patches, is dependent on the physicochemical properties of the polymers used in their formulation...The pharmaceutical applications of polymers range from their uses as binders in tablet formulations to viscosity and flow controlling agents in pharmaceutical liquids, suspensions and emulsions. Polymers are extensively used in film coatings to mask the unpleasant taste of the drug, to improve the stability of hydrophilic drugs, to facilitate handling and to modify the drug release characteristics...”

Target Audience: This is an important reference for any scientist or technologist interested in the pharmaceutical use of polymers.

Table of Contents:

Physicochemical Properties of Pharmaceutical Polymers

Applications of Polymers for the Formulation of Conventional Dosage Forms

Applications of Polymers for Controlled Drug Delivery

General Conclusions

Additional References

Abstracts from the Polymer Library Database

Index